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SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: Raul Alcantara #50 of the Oakland Athletics delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on September 30, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

SEATTLE — Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz form one of the most dangerous 3-4 combos in any major league lineup.

They delivered as advertised Friday night, leading the way in making life miserable for A’s starter Raul Alcantara. The rookie gave up four home runs in just two-plus innings as Oakland was dispatched easily, 5-1, at Safeco Field.

Cano homered twice off Alcantara, including going back-to-back with Cruz in the third. Nori Aoki also went deep as the Mariners moved to within one game of Toronto for the American League’s second Wild Card spot with two to play.

Alcantara (1-3) had shown promise in three starts since a shaky big league debut, but he paid for leaving too many pitches over the fat part of the plate, and Seattle made him pay. Conversely, the A’s couldn’t generate anything against right-hander Taijuan Walker and three relievers. They mustered just **** hits all night, with Ryon Healy’s home run in the sixth their lone offensive highlight.

Cano connected for a two-run shot off Alcantara in the first, but the rookie did well to escape further damage after putting runners on second and third with one out. But Aoki hit an 0-1 pitch deep to right for a 3-0 lead. Then Cano and Cruz both went deep to center in the third. Jake Smolinski made a leaping effort on Cruz’s drive and nearly made a highlight reel grab over the wall, but the ball just evaded his glove. Alcantara surrendered five runs on seven hits and was relieved by Zach Neal after Kyle Seager’s double in the third.